Power sensor module for engine transmission and driveline applications
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorJoseph Gierut
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power sensor module suitable for automotive and other high volume applications is disclosed. The power sensor module combines a speed sensing and torque sensing operation into a single unit. A power measurement can be derived from torque and speed. Combining torque sensing and power sensing within a single module instead of using separate modules for each allows for reducing redundancies and lowering cost.
Claims21
A power sensor module, adapted for use with a rotating shaft, comprising:
- a housing and a torque sensor within the housing and mounted on the rotating element wherein the torque sensor produces a torque sensor signal based on the amount of torque applied to the rotating element;
- a rotating circuit inside the housing and connected to the rotating element such that the rotating circuit obtains the torque sensor signal and produces a transmitted torque signal;
- a stationary circuit that receives the transmitted torque signal and produces a torque signal;
- a target inside the housing and mounted on the rotating element;
- and
- a speed sensor inside the housing such that the speed sensor detects the target and produces a speed signal.
A power sensor module adapted for use with a rotating element incorporating:
- a housing;
- a torque sensor inside the housing and mounted on the rotating element wherein the torque sensor produces a torque sensor signal based on the amount of torque applied to the rotating element;
- a rotating circuit inside the housing and connected to the rotating element such that the rotating circuit obtains the torque sensor signal and produces a transmitted torque signal;
- a stationary circuit that receives the transmitted torque signal and produces a torque signal;
- a target inside the housing and mounted on the same substrate as the rotating circuit;
- and
- a speed sensor inside the housing such that the speed sensor detects the target and produces a speed signal.
A method of producing a speed signal indicating the speed of a rotating element while also producing a torque signal indicating the torque placed on the rotating element, said method comprising the steps of:
- protecting a torque sensor, rotating circuit, target, and speed sensor as well as other components by enclosing them within a housing.
- using the torque sensor mounted on the rotating element to produce a torque sensor signal indicating the torque placed on the rotating element;
- converting the torque sensor signal into a transmitted torque signal;
- producing a torque signal from the transmitted torque signal;
- and
- using the target connected to the rotating element and a speed sensor to produce a speed signal;
- and
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.